Web based extranet architecture providing applications to non-related subscribers

Abstract

An extranet includes a network which couples a plurality of non-related participants and a server coupled to the network. The server stores a plurality of applications including workgroup applicants, transaction applications, security applications and transport circuits and equipment. The server is programmed to load particular ones of the plurality of applications onto the network for use by the plurality of participants in response to a request by one of the participants for a particular application.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A device comprising:
 a memory that stores instructions; and 
 a controller coupled to the memory and communicatively coupled to a server of an extranet, wherein responsive to executing the instructions, the controller performs operations comprising: 
 establishing communication with the server; 
 receiving a prompt to provide a password or a digital certificate; 
 providing the password or digital certificate, thereby obtaining access to applications and data of the extranet; 
 receiving a menu of available applications and data, wherein the applications and data are available in accordance with subscription information; 
 providing a selection from the menu of an application or data; and 
 accessing the application or data. 
 
     
     
       2. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the operations further comprise establishing communication via the server with another device of a non-related subscriber on the extranet. 
     
     
       3. The device of  claim 2 , wherein the operations further comprise exchanging communications with the other device to associate with the other device in a workgroup, and wherein the communications are secured from access by other subscribers on the extranet not included in the workgroup. 
     
     
       4. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the selected application is a client/server application accessed using a web browser. 
     
     
       5. The device of  claim 4 , wherein the operations further comprise presenting the menu of applications as icons on a display, and wherein the selection is provided by selecting an icon. 
     
     
       6. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the subscription information comprises a security profile associated with a user of the device, the user being a subscriber on the extranet. 
     
     
       7. The device of  claim 6 , wherein access to the applications and data is in accordance with the security profile. 
     
     
       8. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the selected application comprises an electronic mail application, a file transfer server application, a list server application, a partner directory, an office application, a collaboration application, an electronic data interchange application, or a digital certificate management application. 
     
     
       9. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device establishes communication with the server through a router. 
     
     
       10. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device communicates with the server to transmit to service provider equipment of the extranet a suggestion regarding a new application to include on the extranet. 
     
     
       11. A method comprising:
 providing, by a server of an extranet, communication access for a subscriber device to the extranet; 
 sending, by the server, a prompt to the subscriber device for a password or a digital certificate; 
 receiving, by the server, from the subscriber device the password or digital certificate, thereby enabling access by the subscriber device to applications and data of the extranet; 
 sending, by the server, a menu of available applications and data for display at the subscriber device, wherein the applications and data are available to the subscriber device in accordance with a security profile; 
 receiving, by the server, from the subscriber device a selection from the menu of an application or data; and 
 providing, by the server, to the subscriber device access to the application or data. 
 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11 , further comprising providing, by the server, communication access to another device of a non-related subscriber on the extranet; and enabling, by the server, an exchange of communications between the subscriber device and the other device. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 12 , wherein, in accordance with the exchange of communications, the subscriber device and the other device are associated in a workgroup, and wherein communications between subscribers in the workgroup are secured from access by other subscribers on the extranet not included in the workgroup. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 11 , wherein the menu is presented as a plurality of selectable icons, and wherein the selected application is a client/server application accessed using a web browser. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 11 , wherein the selected application comprises an electronic mail application, a file transfer server application, a list server application, a partner directory, an office application, a collaboration application, an electronic data interchange application, or a digital certificate management application. 
     
     
       16. A computer-readable storage device comprising instructions which, when executed by a processor of a subscriber device communicatively coupled to a server of an extranet, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:
 establishing communication with the server; 
 receiving from the server a menu of available applications and data of the extranet, wherein the applications and data are available in accordance with a security profile associated with the subscriber device; 
 providing a selection from the menu of an application or data; and 
 accessing the selected application or data. 
 
     
     
       17. The computer-readable storage device of  claim 16 , wherein the operations further comprise receiving from the server a prompt to provide a password or a digital certificate; and providing the password or digital certificate. 
     
     
       18. The computer-readable storage device of  claim 16 , wherein the operations further comprise establishing communication via the server with another device of a non-related subscriber to the extranet; and exchanging communications with the other device to associate with the other device in a workgroup, wherein the communications are secured from access by other subscribers on the extranet not included in the workgroup. 
     
     
       19. The computer-readable storage device of  claim 16 , wherein the menu is presented as a plurality of selectable icons, and wherein the selected application is a client/server application accessed using a web browser. 
     
     
       20. The computer-readable storage device of  claim 16 , wherein the selected application comprises an electronic mail application, a file transfer server application, a list server application, a partner directory, an office application, a collaboration application, an electronic data interchange application, or a digital certificate management application.